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Salinity-induced Loss and Damage to Farming Households in Coastal Bangladesh

Golam Rabbani*
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, House-10, 16A, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Atiq Rahman
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, House-10, 16A, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Khandaker Mainuddin
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies, House-10, 16A, Gulshan-1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

Salinity intrusion in soil caused by climate-induced hazards, especially cyclones and sea level rise (SLR), is adversely affecting rice production in coastal Bangladesh. The southwest coastal district of Satkhira is one of the most vulnerable areas because of its high exposure to salinity intrusion and widespread poverty. Based on a survey of 360 farming households in four villages and on focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and community consultations, this paper explores how salinity intrusion affects rice production. This research demonstrates that salinity levels in the soil have increased sharply over the last 20 years. The introduction of saline-tolerant rice cultivars has been the most important adaptation measure being practised. These adaptation measures, however, have not been enough to deal with the sudden increase in salinity after cyclone Aila hit the area in 2009, with devastating consequences. In that year, farmers in the study areas lost their entire potential yield of Aman rice production.

Keywords: Salinity intrusion; Climate change; Cyclone; Sea level rise; SLR; Loss and damage; Adaptation; Agriculture; Rice production; Coastal zone; Bangladesh.

Location: Four villages within two unions at Shyamnagar Upazilla (sub-district) in Satkhira District.

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Crop-Soil-Water Management

Commodity: Soil salinity

Objectives:

This study was conducted in order to understand the interaction of salinity intrusion and rice production, how people are adapting and whether adaptation measures are enough to avoid adverse climate-change impacts?

Methodology:

Both quantitative (household survey) and qualitative tools (focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and community consultations) were used to explore the impacts of salinity intrusion on rice production in the study villages. The survey targeted 360 farming households in two villages in each of the two unions in Shyamnagar Upazilla, Satkhira district; the sample size for each of the four villages was 90. Households were selected by a systematic random sampling procedure for each of the villages. The survey questionnaire was designed to capture relevant data and information from the study villages. It covered the socio-economic profile of study households, awareness and understanding of climate change and salinity problems, perceptions of the history of salinity levels, the impact on rice production of salinity intrusion caused by extreme weather events, adaptation measures, and loss and damage in rice production. In addition, village representatives provided and validated the data/information gathered in focus group discussions and interviews conducted in each of the study villages. Findings from focus group discussions and interviews were also scrutinized in community consultation meetings. Secondary data and literature were reviewed to complement the primary data gathered during the fieldwork. This case study was part of a larger research project – the Loss and Damage in Vulnerable Countries Initiative. The methods for conducting case studies for this project are described in more detail in Warner et al. (2012). A systematic research protocol was followed to avoid possible bias. The study villages were selected based on a pre-survey field visit and in consultation with local government institutes and vulnerable communities. The villages selected were those most affected in the study sub-district. The survey questionnaire was developed in a peer-review process to ensure it was consistent with the subject and local issues, was translated into Bengali (the local language) and was pre-tested. The data collectors were trained for the interview with farming households in the study areas. Moreover, the field team for each village had at least one member from the Satkhira region, which helped with communicating appropriate questions and responses during the interviews and focus group discussions. The qualitative tools, including focus group discussions and community consultation, helped to gather details on the subject and verify responses from the survey. Suitable participants for the focus group discussions were identified from the household survey. Three members of the field team conducted the focus group discussions. One team member presented the issues and questions for discussion and the responses; the others recorded the discussion points. The key findings of the focus group discussions were presented to the key study representatives of the four villages. This also helped to validate the findings.

Source of Information: Int. J. Global Warming, Vol. 5, No. 4, 2013 pp.400–415.

Article Link (Online Journal): http://www.lossanddamage.net/download/7228.pdf

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Cyclones Sidr (2007) and Aila (2009) had a devastating effect on rice cultivation in Satkhira District, including in the four villages in which fieldwork for this case study was conducted. The study demonstrates that the extreme poor were disproportionately affected by salinity as a percentage of their income, by comparison to non-poor households. This indicates a need for a pro-poor adaptation strategy for the coastal region of the country. About one-third of people living on the coast will be badly affected. This is mainly because most of the coastal population depends on rice cultivation for their livelihoods and food security. Poor farmers are severely affected by salinity intrusion in rice fields. Farmers and communities are trying to adapt to changing climate conditions in different ways. The government is mainly providing infrastructure and technological adaptation options for rice production. Some saline-resistant rice cultivars, such as BRRI 23, were giving good yields until 2008. Unfortunately, BRRI 23, the variety preferred by farmers because of its quality and high yields, became ineffective with the rapid increase of salinity caused by cyclone Aila in 2009. After 2009, a number of new rice cultivars (BRRI dhan47 and BINA 8) were introduced which could resist moderate levels of salinity. However, these cultivars are for the dry season, which is not the primary rice cropping season in the study areas. This means that it is of utmost importance to develop highly resistant Aman rice cultivars, although there are certainly other options.

Knowledge Management: Journal